Telecommunications network

ABSTRACT

A system and method for controlling on a worldwide basis two or more telecommunications networks which are themselves capable of exercising a form of common channel signaling network control. The system uses an architecture in which a destination telecommunications network having common channel signaling control is connected to an originating telecommunications network having common signaling control through a call set up and control methodology which provides ad hoc connection between the two spaced telecommunication networks and common channel signaling networks via an unrelated world wide data network which preferably constitutes the Internet.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/710,594filed Sep. 20, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,659.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a telecommunications network and moreparticularly relates to a public switched telecommunications networkhaving a control signaling system which provides wide area national andinternational routing and supervision using out of band signaling whichincludes a virtual common channel signaling system which does notrequire an end to end exchange of data messages using a connectionoriented mode of signaling. The following background material introducesvarious telephone network control and computer network concepts anddefinitions and those familiar with telephone network control andcomputer networks and TCP/IP may wish to skip to following subsections.

Acronyms

The written description uses a large number of acronyms to refer tovarious services, messages and system components. Although generallyknown, use of several of these acronyms is not strictly standardized inthe art. For purposes of this discussion, acronyms therefore will bedefined as follows:

Address Complete Message (ACM)

Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN)

Answer Message (ANM)

Application Service Part (ASP)

Backward Indicator Bit (BIB)

Backward Sequence Number (BSN)

Central Office (CO)

Common Channel Signaling (CCS)

Common Channel Interoffice Signaling (CCIS)

Customer Identification Code (CIC)

Cyclic Redundancy Code (CRC)

Data and Reporting System (DRS)

Destination Point Code (DPC)

Dual Tone Multifrequency (DTMF)

Fill in Signal Unit (FISU)

Global Title (GTT)

Initial Address Message (IAM)

Integrated Service Control Point (ISCP)

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)

ISDN User Part (ISDN-UP)

International Standards Organization (ISO)

Link Service Signaling Unit (LSSU)

Local Access and Transport Area (LATA)

Message Signaling Unit (MSU)

Message Transfer Part (MTP)

Multi-Services Application Platform (MSAP)

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)

Operations, Maintenance, Application Part (OMAP)

Origination Point Code (OPC)

Point in Call (PIC)

Point in Routing (PIR)

Point of Presence (POP)

Recent Change (RC)

Service Control Point (SCP)

Service Creation Environment (SCE)

Service Information Octet (SIO)

Service Management System (SMS)

Service Switching Point (SSP)

Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP)

Signaling Link Selection (SLS)

Signaling System 7 (SS7)

Signaling Point (SP)

Signaling Transfer Point (STP)

Subsystem Number (SSN)

Time Slot Interchange (TSI)

Transaction Capabilities Applications Protocol (TCAP)

BACKGROUND

Computer Network Background

A computer network is simply a collection of autonomous computersconnected together to permit sharing of hardware and software resources,and to increase overall reliability. The qualifying term “local area” isusually applied to computer networks in which the computers are locatedin a single building or in nearby buildings, such as on a college campusor at a single corporate site. When the computers are further apart, theterms “wide area network” or “long haul network” are used, but thedistinction is one of degree and the definitions sometimes overlap.

A bridge is a device that is connected to at least two LANs and servesto pass message frames or packets between LANs, such that a sourcestation on one LAN can transmit data to a destination station on anotherLAN, without concern for the location of the destination. Bridges areuseful and necessary network components, principally because the totalnumber of stations on a single LAN is limited. Bridges can beimplemented to operate at a selected layer of protocol of the network. Adetailed knowledge of network architecture is not needed for anunderstanding of this invention, but a brief description follows by wayof further background.

At the heart of any computer network is a communication protocol. Aprotocol is a set of conventions or rules that govern the transfer ofdata between computer devices. The simplest protocols define only ahardware configuration, while more complex protocols define timing, dataformats, error detection and correction techniques and softwarestructures.

Computer networks almost universally employ multiple layers ofprotocols. A low-level physical layer protocol assures the transmissionand reception of a data stream between two devices. Data packets areconstructed in a data link layer. Over the physical layer, a network andtransport layer protocol governs transmission of data through thenetwork, thereby ensuring end-to end reliable data delivery.

The most common physical networking protocol or topology for smallnetworks is Ethernet, developed by Xerox. When a node possesses a packetto be transmitted through the network, the node monitors the backboneand transmits when the backbone becomes clear. There is no centralbackbone master device to grant requests to gain access to the backbone.While this type of multipoint topology facilitates rapid transmission ofdata when the backbone is lightly utilized, packet collisions may occurwhen the backbone is heavily utilized. In such circumstances, there is agreater chance that multiple nodes will detect that the backbone isclear and transmit their packets coincidentally. If packets are impairedin a collision, the packets are retransmitted until transmission issuccessful.

Another conventional physical protocol or topology is Token Ring,developed by IBM. This topology employs a “token” that is passedunidirectionally from node to node around an annular backbone. The nodepossessing the token is granted exclusive access to the backbone for asingle packet transfer. While this topology reduces data collisions, thelatency incurred while each node waits for the token translates into aslower data transmission rate than Ethernet when the network is lightlyutilized.

As computer networks have developed, various approaches have been usedin the choice of communication medium, network topology, message format,protocols for channel access, and so forth. Some of these approacheshave emerged as de facto standards, but there is still no singlestandard for network communication. However, a model for networkarchitectures has been proposed and widely accepted. It is known as theInternational Standards Organization (ISO) Open Systems Interconnection(OSI) reference model. The OSI reference model is not itself a networkarchitecture. Rather it specifies a hierarchy of protocol layers anddefines the function of each layer in the network. Each layer in onecomputer of the network carries on a conversation with the correspondinglayer in another computer with which communication is taking place, inaccordance with a protocol defining the rules of this communication. Inreality, information is transferred down from layer to layer in onecomputer, then through the channel medium and back up the successivelayers of the other computer. However, for purposes of design of thevarious layers and understanding their functions, it is easier toconsider each of the layers as communicating with its counterpart at thesame level, in a “horizontal” direction.

The lowest layer defined by the OSI model is called the physical layer,and is concerned with transmitting raw data bits over the communicationchannel. Design of the physical layer involves issues of electrical,mechanical or optical engineering, depending on the medium used for thecommunication channel. The layer next to the physical layer is calledthe data link layer. The main task of the data link layer is totransform the physical layer, which interfaces directly with the channelmedium, into a communication link that appears error-free to the nextlayer above, known as the network layer. The data link layer performssuch functions as structuring data into packets or frames, and attachingcontrol information to the packets or frames, such as checksums forerror detection, and packet numbers.

Although the data link layer is primarily independent of the nature ofthe physical transmission medium, certain aspects of the data link layerfunction are more dependent on the transmission medium. For this reason,the data link layer in some network architectures is divided into twosublayers: a logical link control sublayer, which performs allmedium-independent functions of the data link layer, and a media accesscontrol (MAC) sublayer. This sublayer determines which station shouldget access to the communication channel when there are conflictingrequests for access. The functions of the MAC layer are more likely tobe dependent on the nature of the transmission medium.

Bridges may be designed to operate in the MAC sublayer. Further detailsmay be found in “MAC Bridges,” P802.1D/D6, September 1988, a draftpublication of IEEE Project 802 on Local and Metropolitan Area NetworkStandards, or in later drafts of this document.

The basic function of a bridge is to listen “promiscuously,” i.e., toall message traffic on all LANs to which it is connected, and to forwardeach message it hears onto LANs other than the one from which themessage was heard. Bridges also maintain a database of stationlocations, derived from the content of the messages being forwarded.Bridges are connected to LANs by paths known as “links.” After a bridgehas been in operation for some time, it can associate practically everystation with a particular link connecting the bridge to a LAN, and canthen forward messages in a more efficient manner, transmitting only overthe appropriate link. The bridge can also recognize a message that doesnot need to be forwarded, because the source and destination stationsare both reached through the same link. Except for its function of“learning” station locations, or at least station directions, the bridgeoperates basically as a message repeater.

As network topologies become more complex, with large numbers of LANs,and multiple bridges interconnecting them, operational difficulties canensue if all possible LAN bridging connections are permitted. Inparticular, if several LANs are connected by bridges to form a closedloop, a message may be circulated back to the LAN from which it wasoriginally transmitted, and multiple copies of the same message will begenerated. In the worst case, messages will be duplicated to such adegree that the networks will be effectively clogged with these messagesand unable to operate at all.

To prevent the formation of closed loops in bridged networks, IEEE draftpublication P802.1D, referred to above, proposes a standard for aspanning tree algorithm that will connect the bridged network into atree configuration, containing no closed loops, and spanning the entirenetwork configuration. The spanning tree algorithm is executedperiodically by the bridges on the interconnected network, to ensurethat the tree structure is maintained, even if the physicalconfiguration of the network changes. Basically, the bridges execute thespanning tree algorithm by sending special messages to each other toestablish the identity of a “root” bridge. The root bridge is selected,for convenience, as the one with the smallest numerical identification.The algorithm determines which links of the bridges are to be active andwhich are to be inactive, i.e., disabled, in configuring the treestructure. One more piece of terminology is needed to understand how thealgorithm operates. Each LAN has a “designated” link, which means thatone of the links connectable to the LAN is designated to carry traffictoward and away from the root bridge. The basis for this decision issimilar to the basis for selecting the root bridge. The designated linkis the one providing the least costly (shortest) path to the rootbridge, with numerical bridge identification being used as atie-breaker. Once the designated links are identified, the algorithmchooses two types of links to be activated or closed: first, for eachLAN its designated link is chosen, and second, for each bridge a linkthat forms the “best path” to the root bridge is chosen, i.e., a linkthrough which the bridge received a message giving the identity of theroot bridge. All other links are inactivated. Execution of the algorithmresults in interconnection of the LANs and bridges in a tree structure,i.e., one having no closed loops.

The “Internet” is a collection of networks, including Arpanet, NSFnet,regional networks such as NYsernet, local networks at a number ofuniversity and research institutions, and a number of military networks.The protocols generally referred to as TCP/IP were originally developedfor use only through Arpanet and have subsequently become widely used inthe industry. The protocols provide a set of services that permit usersto communicate with each other across the entire Internet. The specificservices that these protocols provide are not important to the presentinvention, but include file transfer, remote log-in, remote execution,remote printing, computer mail, and access to network file systems.

The basic function of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is to makesure that commands and messages from an application protocol, such ascomputer mail, are sent to their desired destinations. TCP keeps trackof what is sent, and retransmits anything that does not get to itsdestination correctly. If any message is too long to be sent as one“datagram,” TCP will split it into multiple datagrams and makes surethat they all arrive correctly and are reassembled for the applicationprogram at the receiving end. Since these functions are needed for manyapplications, they are collected into a separate protocol (TCP) ratherthan being part of each application. TCP is implemented in the transportlayer of the OSI reference model.

The Internet Protocol (IP) is implemented in the network layer of theOSI reference model, and provides a basic service to TCP: deliveringdatagrams to their destinations. TCP simply hands IP a datagram with anintended destination; IP is unaware of any relationship betweensuccessive datagrams, and merely handles routing of each datagram to itsdestination. If the destination is a station connected to a differentLAN, the IP makes use of routers to forward the message.

TCP/IP frequently uses a slight deviation from the seven-layer OSI modelin that it may have five layers. These five layers are combinations andderivatives of the seven-layer model as shown in FIG. 1. The five layersare as follows:

Layer 5—The Application Layer. Applications such as ftp, telnet, SMTP,and NFS relate to this layer.

Layer 4—The Transport Layer. In this layer, TCP and UDP add transportdata to the packet and pass it to layer 3.

Layer 3—The Internet Layer. When an action is initiated on a local host(or initiating host) that is to be performed or responded to on a remotehost (or receiving host), this layer takes the package from layer 4 andadds IP information before passing it to layer 2.

Layer 2—The Network Interface Layer. This is the network device as thehost, or local computer, sees it and it is through this medium that thedata is passed to layer 1.

Layer 1—The Physical Layer. This is literally the Ethernet or SerialLine Interface Protocol (SLIP) itself.

At the receiving host the layers are stripped one at a time, and theirinformation is passed to the next highest level until it again reachesthe application level. If a gateway exists between the initiating andreceiving hosts, the gateway takes the packet from the physical layer,passes it through a data link to the IP physical layer to continue, asis shown in FIG. 2. As a message is sent from the first host to thesecond, gateways pass the packet along by stripping off lower layers,readdressing the lower layer, and then passing the packet toward itsfinal destination.

A router, like a bridge, is a device connected to two or more LANs.Unlike a bridge, however, a router operates at the network layer level,instead of the data link layer level. Addressing at the network layerlevel makes use of a 32-bit address field for each host, and the addressfield includes a unique network identifier and a host identifier withinthe network. Routers make use of the destination network identifier in amessage to determine an optimum path from the source network to thedestination network. Various routing algorithms may be used by routersto determine the optimum paths. Typically, routers exchange informationabout the identities of the networks to which they are connected.

When a message reaches its destination network, a data link layeraddress is needed to complete forwarding to the destination host. Datalink layer addresses are 48 bits long and are globally unique, i.e., notwo hosts, wherever located, have the same data link layer address.There is a protocol called ARP (address resolution protocol), whichobtains a data link layer address from the corresponding network layeraddress (the address that IP uses). Typically, each router maintains adatabase table from which it can look up the data link layer address,but if a destination host is not in this ARP database, the router cantransmit an ARP request. This message basically means: “will the hostwith the following network layer address please supply its data linklayer address.” Only the addressed destination host responds, and therouter is then able to insert the correct data link layer address intothe message being forwarded, and to transmit the message to its finaldestination.

IP routing specifies that IP datagrams travel through internetworks onehop at a time (next hop routing) based on the destination address in theIP header. The entire route is not known at the outset of the journey.Instead, at each stop, the next destination (or next hop) is calculatedby matching the destination address within the datagram's IP header withan entry in the current node's (typically but not always a router)routing table.

Each node's involvement in the routing process consists only offorwarding packets based on internal information resident in the router,regardless of whether the packets get to their final destination. Toextend this explanation a step further, IP routing does not alter theoriginal datagram. In particular, the datagram source and destinationaddresses remain unaltered. The IP header always specifies the IPaddress of the original source and the IP address of the ultimatedestination.

When IP executes the routing algorithm it computes a new address, the IPaddress of the machine/router to which the datagram should be sent next.This algorithm uses the information from the routing table entries, aswell as any cached information local to the router. This new address ismost likely the address of another router/gateway. If the datagram canbe delivered directly (the destination network is directly attached tothe current host) the new address will be the same as the destinationaddress in the IP header.

The next hop address defined by the method above is not stored in theirIP datagram. There is no reserved space to hold it and it is not“stored” at all. After executing the routing algorithm (the algorithm isspecific to the vendor/platform) to define the next hop address to thefinal destination. The IP protocol software passes the datagram and thenext hop address to the network interface software responsible for thephysical network over which the datagram must now be sent.

The network interface software binds the next hop address to a physicaladdress (this physical address is discovered via address resolutionprotocols (ARP, RARP, etc.), forms a frame (Ethernet, SMDS, FDDI,etc.—OSI layer 2 physical address) using the physical address, placesthe datagram in the data portion of the frame, and sends the result outover the physical network interface through which the next hop gatewayis reached. The next gateway receives the datagram and the foregoingprocess is repeated.

In addition, the IP does not provide for error reporting back to thesource when routing anomalies occur. This task is left to anotherInternet protocol, the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP).

A router will perform protocol translation. One example is at layers 1and 2. If the datagram arrives via an Ethernet interface and is destinedto exit on a serial line, for example, the router will strip off theEthernet header and trailer, and substitute the appropriate header andtrailer for the specific network media, such as SMDS, by way of example.

A route policy may be used instead of routing table entries to derivethe next hop address. In the system and methodology of the presentinvention, the source address is tested to see in which ISP addressrange it falls. Once the ISP address range is determined the packet isthen routed to the next hop address associated with the specific ISP.

Data communications network services have two categories of callestablishment procedures: connection-oriented and connectionless.

Connection-oriented network services require that users establish asingle distinct virtual circuit before the data can be transmitted. Thiscircuit then defines a fixed path through the network that all trafficfollows during the session. Several packet switching services areconnection-oriented, notably X.25 and Frame Relay. X.25 is the slower ofthe services, but has built-in error correction—enough for itsperformance not to depend on clean, high-quality optical fiber lines.Frame relay, regarded as the first generation of fast packet technology,is well-suited for high-speed bursty data communication applications.

Connectionless network services, by contrast, let each packet of acommunications session take a different, independent path through thenetwork. One example is the Switched Multimegabit Data Service (SMDS), apossible precursor to broadband ISDN. This fast-packet service supportsdata rates ranging from the T1 rate of 1.544 Mb/s up to 1 Gb/s. The SMDStransport system architecture is defined by IEEE 802.6 Metropolitan AreaNetwork standards.

Eventually, SMDS is expected to operate at rates of 51.85 Mb/s to 9.953Gb/s specified by the family of standards known in North America asSynchronous Optical Network (SONET). Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)is an ITU recommendation that grew out of and includes thespecifications of SONET.

The process of routing packets over the Internet is also considered aconnectionless network service. The Internet Protocol (IP) addressespackets from sender to receiver. It is still used mostly in conjunctionwith the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), which establishes aconnection between end users to manage the traffic flow and ensures thedata are correct, providing end-to-end reliability. The combination,known as TCP/IP, is the Internet's main backbone protocol suite.

Telephone Network Control

All telecommunications systems having multiple switching offices requiresignaling between the offices. Telephone networks require signalingbetween switching offices for transmitting routing and destinationinformation, for transmitting alerting messages such as to indicate thearrival of an incoming call, and for transmitting supervisorinformation, e.g., relating to line status. Signaling between officescan use ‘in-band’ transport or ‘out-of-band’ transport.

In-band signaling utilizes the same channel that carries thecommunications of the parties. In a voice telephone system, for example,one of the common forms of in-band signaling between offices utilizesmulti-frequency signaling over voice trunk circuits. The same voicetrunk circuits also carry the actual voice traffic between switchingoffices. In-band signaling, however, tends to be relatively slow andties up full voice channels during the signaling operations. Intelephone call processing, a substantial percentage of all calls gounanswered because the destination station is busy. For in-bandsignaling, the trunk to the end office switching system serving thedestination is set-up and maintained for the duration of signaling untilthat office informs the originating office of the busy line condition.As shown by this example, in-band signaling greatly increases congestionon the traffic channels, that is to say, the voice channels in the voicetelephone network example. In-band signaling also is highly susceptibleto fraud because hackers have developed devices which mimic in-bandsignaling.

Out-of-band signaling evolved to mitigate the problems of in-bandsignaling. Out-of-band signaling utilizes separate channels, and in manycases separate switching elements. As such, out-of-band signalingreduces congestion on the channels carrying the actual communicationtraffic. Also, messages from the end users always utilize an in-bandformat and remain in-band, making it virtually impossible for an enduser to simulate signaling messages which ride on an out-of-band channelor network. Out-of-band signaling utilizes its own signal formats andprotocols and is not constrained by protocols and formats utilized forthe actual communication, therefore out-of-band signaling typically isconsiderably faster than in-band signaling.

Out of band signaling networks typically include data links and one ormore packet switching systems. Out-of-band signaling for telephonenetworks is often referred to as Common Channel Signaling (CCS) orCommon Channel Interoffice Signaling (CCIS). Most such signalingcommunications for telephone networks utilize signaling system 7 (SS7)protocol. An SS7 compliant CCIS network comprises data switching systemsdesignated Signal Transfer Points (STPs) and data links between the STPsand various telephone switching offices of the network. In advancedversions of the telephone network including high level control nodes,identified as Service Control Points (SCPs) or Integrated ServiceControl Points (ISCPs), the CCIS network also includes data linksconnecting the high level control nodes to one or more of the STPs.

The STPs are program controlled packet data switching systems. Inoperation, an STP will receive a packet data message from another nodeof the network, for example from an end office switching system. The STPanalyzes point code information in the packet and routes the packetaccording to a translation table stored within the STP. This translationtable is static. Any packet having a particular point code is output ona port going to the next CCIS signaling node specified by translation ofthat point code.

The development of the CCIS network has recently permitted the offeringof a number of new service features provided by centralized programcontrol from a high level control point. Such an enhanced telephonenetwork is often termed an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN). In an AINtype system, local and/or toll offices of the public telephone networkdetect one of a number of call processing events identified as AIN“triggers”. For ordinary telephone service calls, there would be noevent to trigger AIN processing; and the local and toll office switcheswould function normally and process such calls without referring to thecentral database for instructions. An office which detects a triggerwill suspend call processing, compile a call data message and forwardthat message via the CCIS signaling network to an Integrated ServiceControl Point (ISCP) which includes a Multi-Services ApplicationPlatform (MSAP) database. If needed, the ISCP can instruct the centraloffice to obtain and forward additional information. Once sufficientinformation about the call has reached the ISCP, the ISCP accesses itsstored data tables in the MSAP database to translate the receivedmessage data into a call control message and returns the call controlmessage to the office of the network via CCIS link. The network officesthen use the call control message to complete the particular call. AnAIN type network for providing an Area Wide Centrex service wasdisclosed and described in detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.5,247,571 to Kay et al., the disclosure of which is entirelyincorporated herein by reference.Existing AIN type systems, such asdisclosed in the Kay et al. Patent, utilize the routing functionality ofthe STPs in the CCIS network as described above. Every time a specifiedswitching office launches a query for an identified ISCP, thetranslation table in the STP(s) of the CCIS network causes the STP(s) toroute the query message to that ISCP.

The CCIS and AIN which have been described provide effective andefficient connection oriented signaling between switches in moderntelephone networks. However, such control is not available in the UnitedStates on a nationwide basis and is not available internationally for avariety of reasons. Connections between Interexchange Carriers (IXCs)and Local Exchange Carriers (LECs) in the United States are still madeto a significant extent with in-band signaling. This requiresinefficient use of circuit time of voice trunks and is vulnerable tofraud. The inefficiencies are particularly aggravated whereinternational and particularly transoceanic communications are involved.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide telephone serviceover wide areas between different telephone systems and carriers using anew form of common channel signaling architecture which permits use ofexisting telecommunication signaling control facilities in conjunctionwith existing and readily available world wide connectionless datanetworks.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such atelecommunications system and service in a manner which obviates anyneed for installation of end to end connection oriented common channelsignaling facilities.

It is another object of the invention to provide telephone service overwide areas between different telephone systems and carriers using commonchannel signaling which uses existing telecommunication controlfacilities in conjunction with existing open access, non-proprietaryworld wide data networks.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a new methodand system utilizing an architecture in which a destinationtelecommunications network having common channel signaling control isconnected to an originating telecommunications network having commonsignaling control through a call set up methodology which provides adhoc connection between the two spaced common channel signaling networksvia an unrelated world wide data network which preferably constitutesthe Internet.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbe set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel system and method for controllingon a worldwide basis two or more telecommunications networks which arethemselves capable of exercising a form of common channel signalingnetwork control. The new system and method do not require that thecontrolled networks be adjoining, nor do they require that they belinked by intervening networks which have common channel signalingnetwork control. The invention is particularly advantageous in providingtelecommunications connectings between transoceanic networks. The newmethod and system use an architecture in which a destinationtelecommunications network having common channel signaling control isconnected to an originating telecommunications network having commonsignaling control through a call set up methodology which provides adhoc connection between the two spaced common channel signaling networksvia an unrelated world wide data network which preferably constitutesthe Internet. Through this arrangement the normal CCIS signaling of thetwo spaced networks can be effectively utilized virtually without changeto obtain the advantages of common channel signaling which are known tothose skilled in the art. The invention provides multiple embodimentsand permits call set up with virtually no usage of common channelsignaling in the originating telecommunications network. According toanother embodiment the advance features of an Advanced IntelligentNetwork (AIN) may be provided from a central control extraneous to thetwo telecommunications networks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a comparative diagram of the International StandardsOrganization (ISO) Open System Interconnection (OSI) model for networkarchitectures and a commonly used TCP/IP model.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating the passage of apacket from an initiating host to a receiving host through a gatewayusing the TCP/IP model.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a Public Switched TelephoneNetwork and its SS7 signal control network.

FIG. 4 depicts the protocol stack for SS7 and comparison thereof to theOSI model.

FIG. 5 illustrates in graphic form the layout of an SS7 protocol messagepacket.

FIG. 6 illustrates in graphic form the layout of the routing labelportion of the SS7 protocol message packet shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7A and 7B together show a somewhat more detailed block diagram ofthe network, i.e., including two interexchange carrier networks.

FIG. 8 is a more detailed diagram of one of the switching systems.

FIG. 9 is a more detailed diagram of one of the signal transfer points.

FIG. 10 is a more detailed diagram of an integrated signal controlpoint.

FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram of illustrating the architecture of theexisting public switched telephone network (PSTN) in the United Statesas currently utilized for a typical transoceanic telephonecommunication.

FIG. 12 is a simplified diagram of illustrating the architecture of theexisting public switched telephone network (PSTN) in the United Statesmodified according to one embodiment of the invention to implement atransoceanic telephone communication.

FIG. 13 shows in diagrammatic form the functional architecture of oneembodiment of an Internet Module for use in the system illustrated inFIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a simplified diagram of the Internet.

FIG. 15 is a simplified diagram illustrating another embodiment of theinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

To facilitate understanding of the present invention, it will be helpfulfirst to review the architecture and operation of a telephone networkhaving CCIS capabilities.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a simplified block diagram of aswitched traffic network and the common channel signaling network usedto control the signaling for the switched traffic network. In theillustrated example, the overall network actually comprises two separatenetworks 1 and 2. As shown, these networks serve different regions ofthe country and are operated by different local exchange carriers.Alternatively, one network may be a local exchange carrier network, andthe other network may comprise an interexchange carrier network.Although the signaling message routing of the present invention willapply to other types of networks, in the illustrated example, bothnetworks are telephone networks.

In FIG. 3, a first local exchange carrier network 1 includes a number ofend office switching systems providing connections 40 localcommunication lines coupled to end users telephone station sets. Forconvenience, only one end office 11 is shown. The first local exchangecarrier network 1 also includes one or more tandem switching systemsproviding connections between offices. For convenience, only one tandemoffice 13 is shown. As such, the first telephone network consists of aseries of switching offices interconnected by voice grade trunks, shownas solid lines. One or more trunks also connect the tandem 13 to one ormore switches, typically another tandem office, in the second network 2.

Each switching office has SS7 signaling capability and is conventionallyreferred to as a signaling point (SP) in reference to the SS7 network.In the first network 1, each switching office 11, 13 also is programmedto recognize identified events or points in call (PICs). In response toa PIC, either office 11 or 13 triggers a query through the signalingnetwork to an Integrated Service Control Point (ISCP) for instructionsrelating to AIN type services. Switching offices having AIN trigger andquery capability are referred to as Service Switching Points (SSPs). TheISCP 17 is an integrated system shown in more detail in FIG. 8 anddiscussed more fully below.

The end office and tandem switching systems typically consist ofprogrammable digital switches with CCIS communications capabilities. Oneexample of such a switch is a 5ESS type switch manufactured by AT&T; butother vendors, such as Northern Telecom and Siemens, manufacturecomparable digital switches which could serve as the SPs.

Within the first network 1, the common channel interoffice signaling(CCIS) network includes one or more Signaling Transfer Points (STPs) anddata links shown as dotted lines between the STP(s) and the switchingoffices. A data link also connects the STP 15 to the ISCP 17. One ormore data links also connect the STP(s) 15 in the network 1 to those innetworks of other carriers, for example to the STP 25 in the network 2.

Although shown as telephones in FIG. 3, the terminal devices cancomprise any communication device compatible with the localcommunication line. Where the line is a standard voice grade telephoneline, for example, the terminals could include facsimile devices, modemsetc.

The network 2 is generally similar in structure to the network 1. Thenetwork 2 includes a number of end office SP type switching systems 21(only one shown) as well as one or more tandem switching systems 23(only one shown). The network 2 includes a CCIS network comprising oneor more STPs 25 and data links to the respective SP type switchingoffices and to the CCIS system of other carriers networks.

In the illustrated example, the second network 2 is not a full AIN typenetwork. The switching systems do not have full AIN trigger and querycapabilities. The network 2 includes a Service Control Point (SCP) 27,but the routing tables utilized in that database are more limited thanthose in the ISCP 17. The switching systems 21, 23 can query the SCP 27for routing information, but the range of trigger events are morelimited, e.g., to 800 number call processing.

An end office switching system 11 or 21 shown in FIG. 3 normallyresponds to a service request on a local communication line connectedthereto, for example an off-hook followed by dialed digit information,to selectively connect the requesting line to another selected localcommunication line. The connection can be made locally through only theconnected end office switching system but typically will go through anumber of switching systems. For example, when a subscriber at station Xcalls station Y, the connection is made through the end office switchingsystem 11, the tandem offices 13 and 23 and the end office switchingsystem 21 through the telephone trunks interconnecting the variousswitching offices.

In the normal call processing, the central office switching systemresponds to an off-hook and receives dialed digits from the callingstation. The central office switching system analyzes the receiveddigits to determine if the call is local or not. If the called stationis local and the call can be completed through the one central office,the central office switching system connects the calling station to thecalled station. If, however, the called station is not local, the callmust be completed through one or more distant central offices, andfurther processing is necessary. If at this point the call wereconnected serially through the trunks and appropriate central officesbetween the caller and the called party using in-band signaling, thetrunks would be engaged before a determination is made that the calledline is available or busy. Particularly if the called line is busy, thiswould unnecessarily tie up limited voice trunk circuit capacity. TheCCIS system through the STP's was developed to alleviate this problem.

In the CCIS type call processing method, the originating end officeswitching system, switching system 11 in the present example, suspendsthe call and sends a message through the CCIS network to the end officeswitching system serving the destination telephone line, i.e., to aterminating end office 21. The terminating end office determines whetheror not the called station Y is busy. If the called station is busy, theterminating end office 21 so informs the originating end office 11 viaCCIS message, and the originating end office provides a busy signal tothe calling station. If the called station Y is not busy, theterminating end office 21 so informs the originating end central office11. A telephone connection is then constructed via the trunks and endoffices (and/or tandem offices) of the network between the calling andcalled stations.

For an AIN type service, such as call redirection based on data storedin the ISCP 17, the end offices and/or tandems are SSP capable anddetect one of a number of call processing events, each identified as a‘point in call’ (PIC), to trigger AIN type processing. Specifically, inresponse to such a PIC, a tandem 13 or end office switching system 11suspends call processing, compiles a call data message and forwards thatmessage via common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) links and one ormore STPs 15 to an ISCP 17. If needed, the ISCP 17 can instruct theparticular switching office to obtain and forward additionalinformation. Once sufficient information has reached the ISCP 17, theISCP 17 accesses its stored data tables to translate the received datainto a call control message and returns the call control message to theswitching office via the STP 15 and the appropriate CCIS links. Theoffice uses the call control message to complete the particular callthrough the public switched network in the manner specified by thesubscriber's data file in the ISCP 17.

The SCP 27 offers a similar capability in the network 2, but the rangeof service features offered by that database are more limited.Typically, the SCP 27 offers only 800 number calling services with alimited number of related call routing options. The triggeringcapability of the tandem 23 and end office 21 is limited to 800 numberrecognition. If the end office 21 is capable of 800 number recognitionand CCIS communication with the SCP 27, as shown, then the office 21launches a CCIS query to the SCP 27 in response to dialing of an 800number at a station set Y. The SCP 27 translates the dialed 800 numberinto an actual destination number, for example the telephone number ofstation X, and transmits a CCIS response message back to end office 21.End office 21 then routes the call through the public network to thestation X identified by the number sent back by the SCP 27, using CCIScall routing procedures of the type discussed above.

SS7 signaling protocol is based on the OSI model. The InternationalStandards Organization (ISO) Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)reference model specifies a hierarchy of protocol layers and defines thefunction of each layer in the network. FIG. 4 shows the OSI model andthe relationship thereof to the protocol stack for SS7. The lowest layerdefined by the OSI model is the physical layer (L1). This layer providestransmission of raw data bits over the physical communication channelthrough the particular network. The layer next to the physical layer isthe data link layer (L2). The data link layer transforms the physicallayer, which interfaces directly with the channel medium, into acommunication link that appears error-free to the next layer above,known as the network layer (L3). The data link layer performs suchfunctions as structuring data into packets or frames, and attachingcontrol information to the packets or frames, such as checksums forerror detection, and packet numbers. The network layer providescapabilities required to control connections between end systems throughthe network, e.g., set-up and tear-down of connections.

In the OSI model, a transport layer protocol (L4) runs above the networklayer. The transport layer provides control of data transfer between endsystems. Above the transport layer, a session layer (L5) is responsiblefor establishing and managing communication between presentationentities. For example, the session layer determines which entitycommunicates at a given time and establishes any necessarysynchronization between the entities.

Above the session layer, a presentation layer (L6) serves to representinformation transferred between applications in a manner that preservesits meaning (semantics) while resolving differences in the actualrepresentation (syntax). A protocol (L7) that is specific to the actualapplication. that utilizes the information communicated runs at the topof the protocol stack.

A detailed explanation of the SS7 protocol may be found in BellCommunications Research, “Specification of Signaling System Number 7,”Generic Requirements, GR-246-CORE, Issue 1, December 1994, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.A summary description of the most relevant aspects of SS7 appears below.

For SS7, typical applications layer protocols include TransactionCapability Application Part (TCAP); Operations, Maintenance, ApplicationPart (OMAP); and ISDN User Part (ISDN-UP). TCAP provides the signalingprotocols for exchange of non-circuit related, transaction-basedinformation, typically for accessing databases such as SCPs. Forexample, TCAP specifies the format and content of an initial querymessage from an SSP to an SCP and various response messages from the SCPback to the SSP. ISDN-UP is the actual call control application protocolof SS7. ISDN-UP specifies the procedures for setting up and tearing downtrunk connections utilizing CCIS signaling. ISDN-UP messages, forexample, include an Initial Address Message (IAM), an Address CompleteMessage (ACM) and an Answer Message (ANM)

SS7 specifies an Application Service Part (ASP) for performing thefunctions of the presentation, session and transport layers for the TCAPand OMAP protocols. The lower four layers of the SS7 protocol correspondto the lower three layers (network, link and physical) of the OSI model.The lower three layers of the SS7 protocol, the network layer, thesignaling link layer and the data link layer, form the Message TransferPart (MTP) of SS7. The MTP is common to messages for all applicationsand provides reliable transfer of signaling messages between networknodes. The MTP relays messages between applications running at differentnodes of the network, effectively like a datagram type service.

The SS7 network layer (lower portion of L3) routes messages from sourceto destination. Routing tables for the signaling network layerfacilitate routing based on logical addresses. The routing functionalityat this layer is independent of the characteristics of particular links.

The signaling link layer (L2) performs flow control, error correctionand packet sequence control. The signaling data link layer (L1) is theactual physical connection between nodes of the CCIS network. Thesignaling data link layer in CCIS provides full duplex packet switcheddata communications. The signaling data link layer element provides abearer for the actual signaling message transmissions. In a digitalenvironment, 56 or 64 Kbits/s digital paths carry the signaling messagesbetween nodes, although higher speeds may be used.

At the equivalent of the OSI network layer (L3), the SS7 protocol stackincludes a Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) as well as thenetwork layer portion of the MTP. SCCP provides communication betweensignaling nodes by adding circuit and routing information to SS7messages. The SCCP routing information serves to route messages to andfrom specific applications. Each node of the signaling network,including the various switching offices and databases in each network,is assigned a 9-digit point-code for purposes of addressing signalingmessages through the CCIS network. Both the SCCP protocol and the MTPprocessing utilize these point codes.

The SS7 messages traverse the network at all times. The messagesthemselves comprise digital serial messages that come into the STP. FIG.5 provides a graphic illustration of an SS7 message packet. The firstbyte or octet of the message is a flag, which is a zero followed by 6ones and another 0. This constitutes a unique bit pattern in the SS7protocol. The protocol ensures that this particular pattern is notrepeated until the next message. This provides a flag at the beginningof a new message. A flag at the end of a message is also providedusually in the form of the flag at the beginning of the next message,i.e., a message usually contains only one flag. The message is arrangedin 8 bit bytes or octets. These octets represent the information carriedby the message. The message contains both fixed and variable parameters.The Message Transport Part (MTP) of the SS7 message is always in thesame place. The values change but the MTP is always in the same place.

Octets 2-11 form a routing label as discussed later with regard to FIG.4. Octet 12 contains a signaling link selection (SLS) byte used toselect specific links and/or determine the extent to which the networkcan select specific links to achieve load sharing. Octet 13 contains aCustomer Identification Code (CIC) which typically is used to select aninterexchange carrier. Octet 14 contains a message type indicator, andoctets 15—N contain the actual message, in the form of fixed parameters,mandatory parameters and optional parameters. The length of themandatory parameters field and the optional parameters field arevariable. There would be 16 other bits that have Cyclic Redundancy Codes(CRCs) in them and another flag which would constitute the end of theSS7 message (and typically the start of the next message). CRCsconstitute a further error detection code which is a level 1 function inthe protocol.

FIG. 6 is a graphic illustration of the routing label of the SS7 messagepacket. The first 7 bits of octet 2 constitute the Backward SequenceNumber (BSN). The eighth bit is the Backward Indicator Bit (BIB) whichis used to track whether messages have been received correctly. Thelength of an SS7 message is variable, therefore octet 4 contains amessage length indicator.

Octet 5 is the Service Information Octet (SIO). This indicates whetherit is a Fill In Signal Unit (FISU), Link Service Signaling Unit (LSSU)or Message Signaling Unit (MSU). MSUs are the only ones used for settingup calls, LSSUs are used for alignment, and FISUs are fill in signals.The MSU indicator type SIO octet is formatted and encoded to serve as anaddress indicator, as discussed below.

The routing label includes fields for both destination relatedaddressing and point of origin addressing. The destination or ‘calledparty’ address includes octets 6, 7 and 8. Octets 9-11 carry originationpoint code information, for example member, cluster and network IDinformation.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the three octets of the called partyaddress contain an actual destination point code (DPC) identified asDPC-member, DPC-cluster and DPC-network ID information. In operation,the translation tables stored in the STP cause the STP to actually routebased on the DPC without translating any of the DPC octets into newvalues. The called party address octets (6-8), however, may carry othertypes of called party addressing information and receive differenttreatment by the STP. For example, these octets may carry a global title(GTT) and subsystem number (SSN) information.

To distinguish the types of information carried in octets 6-8, the MSUtype service information octet (5) contains an address indicator. Forexample, a ‘1’ value in the first bit position in this octet signifiesthat the called party address octets contain a subsystem number, a ‘1’value in the second bit position in this octet signifies that the calledparty address octets contain a signaling point code. The third, fourth,fifth and sixth bits of the address indicator serve as the global titleindicator and are encoded to identify the presence and type of globaltitle value in octets 6-8.

FIGS. 7A and 7B together show a public switched telephone networksimilar to that of FIG. 3. Again, the network actually includes twolocal exchange carrier networks, 1 and 2, and the structure and generalmethods of operation of those networks are identical to those of thenetworks 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 3. FIGS. 7A and 7B, however, add a highlevel functional representation of two competing interexchange carriernetworks.

Each local exchange carrier network operates within boundaries of adefined Local Access and Transport Area (LATA). Current laws requirethat interexchange carriers, not local exchange carriers, must transportcalls crossing the LATA boundaries, i.e., all interLATA calls. Totransport calls from one LATA to another, each interexchange carriernetwork includes a point of presence (POP) 41A, 41B in the region of thefirst local exchange carrier network 1 and a point of presence (POP)43A, 43B in the region of the second local exchange carrier network 2.Although not shown in detail, the interexchange carrier will operate anetwork of communication links and switching offices to providetransport between the POPs in different LATAs.

The interexchange carrier networks provide two-way transport for bothcommunication traffic (e.g., voice calls) and signaling. For CCIS typeprocessing, the POP in each region will include both a tandem typeswitch with at least SS7 signaling point (SP) capability as well as anSTP. In each POP, the tandem connects to a switching office in therespective local exchange carrier network, and the STP connects to anSTP of the respective local exchange carrier network. In the illustratedsimplified example, the tandem switches in POPs 41A, 41B connect to thetandem 13 in network 1. The STPs in POPs 41A, 41B connect to the STP 15in network 1. Similarly, the tandem switches in POPs 43A, 43B connect tothe tandem 23 in network 2, and the STPs in those POPs connect to theSTP 25 in network 2.

Typically, each interexchange carrier will operate an SCP database 45A,45B. The SCP 45A, 45B connects to a signal transfer point (STP) at somepoint in each respective interexchange carrier's network. In theillustrated example, the SCP 45B connects to an STP in POP 41B, and theSCP 45A connects to the STP in POP 43A. The SCPs provide datatranslations for 800 number calling services and the like offered by theinterexchange carriers. If an interexchange carrier chooses, one or moreof the carrier's tandems may have full SSP capability, and the SCP couldbe replaced by an ISCP to offer AIN type services to the interexchangecarrier's customers. The precise arrangement of switches, trunks, STPs,signaling links and SCPs or the like vary between interexchange carriersdepending on the traffic load each transports, the sophistication ofservices provided, etc.

FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of an electronic program controlledswitch which may be used as any one of the SP or SSP type switchingoffices in the systems of FIG. 3 or FIGS. 7A-7B. As illustrated, theswitch includes a number of different types of modules. In particular,the illustrated switch includes interface modules 51 (only two of whichare shown), a communications module 53 and an administrative module 55.

The interface modules 51 each include a number of interface units 0 ton. The interface units terminate lines from subscribers' stations,trunks, T1 carrier facilities, etc. Where the interfaced circuit isanalog, for example a subscriber loop, the interface unit will provideanalog to digital conversion and digital to analog conversion. Theinterface modules for the analog lines also include dial pulse detectorsand dual tone multifrequncy (DTMF) detectors. Alternatively, the linesor trunks may use digital protocols such as T1 or ISDN. Each interfacemodule 51 also includes a digital service unit (not shown) which is usedto generate call progress tones.

Each interface module 51 includes, in addition to the noted interfaceunits, a duplex microprocessor based module controller and a duplex timeslot interchange, referred to as a TSI in the drawing. Digital wordsrepresentative of voice information are transferred in two directionsbetween interface units via the time slot interchange (intramodule callconnections) or transmitted in two directions through the networkcontrol and timing links to the time multiplexed switch 57 and thence toanother interface module (intermodule call connection).

The communication module 53 includes the time multiplexed switch 57 anda message switch 59. The time multiplexed switch 57 provides timedivision transfer of digital voice data packets between voice channelsof the interface modules 51 and transfers data messages between theinterface modules. The message switch 59 interfaces the administrativemodule 55 to the time multiplexed switch 57, so as to provide a routethrough the time multiplexed switch permitting two-way transfer ofcontrol related messages between the interface modules 51 and theadministrative module 55. In addition, the message switch 59 terminatesspecial data links, for example a link for receiving a synchronizationcarrier used to maintain digital synchronism.

The administrative module 55 includes an administrative module processor61, which is a computer equipped with disc storage 63, for overallcontrol of operations of the switching office. The administrative moduleprocessor 61 communicates with the interface modules 51 through thecommunication module 53. The administrative module 55 also includes oneor more input/output (I/O) processors 65 providing interfaces toterminal devices for technicians such as shown at 66 in the drawing anddata links to operations systems for traffic, billing, maintenance data,etc. A CCIS terminal 73 and an associated data unit 71 provide asignaling link between the administrative module processor 61 and an STPof the SS7 signaling network, for facilitating call processing signalcommunications with other central offices (COs) and with one or more ofthe SCPs and/or the ISCP 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the administrative module 55 also includes acall store 67 and a program store 69. Although shown as separateelements for convenience, these are typically implemented as memoryelements within the computer serving as the administrative moduleprocessor 61. For each call in progress, the call store 67 storestranslation information retrieved from disc storage 63 together withrouting information and any temporary information needed for processingthe call. For example, for a switch based Centrex type service, the callstore 67 would receive and store extension number translationinformation for the business customer corresponding to an off-hook lineinitiating a call. The program store 69 stores program instructionswhich direct operations of the computer serving as the administrativemodule processor.

Of particular note, the translation data in the disc storage 63 includestranslation information needed to address messages for transmissionthrough the signaling network. In particular, when the switch needs tosend a message through the SS7 network to a particular node, the datafrom the disc storage 63 provides the global title and/or point code forthe message destination.

FIG. 9 depicts the functional elements of one of the STPs shown in thenetworks of FIGS. 3, 7A and 7B. As shown, the STP comprises interfacemodules 81, a packet switch fabric 83 and an administrative module 85.The interface modules 81 provide the physical connections to the two-waydata links to the switching systems, SCPs, ISCPs and other STPs.Typically, these links provide two-way 56 kbits/s or 64 kbits/s virtualcircuits between nodes of the CCIS signaling network. The modulesprovide a two-way coupling of SS7 data packets, of the type shown inFIG. 3, between the actual data links and the packet switch fabric. Thepacket switch fabric provides the actual routing of packets coming infrom one link, through one of the interface modules 81 back out throughone of the interface modules 81 to another data link. The packet switchfabric 83 also switches some incoming messages through to theadministrative module 85 and switches some messages from theadministrative module 85 out through one of the interface modules 81 toone of the data links.

The administrative module 85 includes an administrative module processor87, which is a computer equipped with RAM 91 and a program store 89, foroverall control of operations of the switching office. Although shown asa logically separate element, the program store 89 typically isimplemented as memory within the computer serving as the administrativemodule processor 87. The administrative module processor 87 providescontrol instructions to and receives status information from theoperation control element (not shown) within the packet switch fabric83. The administrative module processor 87 also transmits and receivessome messages via the packet switch fabric 83 and the interface modules81. The administrative module 85 also includes one or more input/output(I/O) processors 93 providing interfaces to terminal devices fortechnicians such as shown at 95 in the drawing and data links tooperations systems for traffic recording, maintenance data, etc.

The program store 89 stores program instructions which direct operationsof the computer serving as the administrative module processor 87. TheRAM 91 stores the translation tables used to control routing and/orprocessing of messages through the STP. The RAM may be implemented as adisc storage unit, but preferably the RAM comprises a large quantity ofsemiconductor random access memory circuits providing extremely fastaccess to information stored therein.

The ISCP 17 is an integrated system, as shown in FIG. 10, Among othersystem components, the ISCP 17 includes a Service Management System(SMS) 291, a Data and Reporting System (DRS) 295 and the actual databasereferred to as the Service Control Point (SCP) 293. The ISCP alsotypically includes a terminal subsystem referred to as a ServiceCreation Environment or SCE 292 for programming the database in the SCP293 for the services subscribed to by each individual customer. Thecomponents of the ISCP are connected by an internal, high-speed datanetwork, such as a token ring network 297.

Referring to FIG. 11 there is shown the architecture of a simplifiedtelephone network of the type shown in FIGS. 3, 7A and 7B as it maycurrently be utilized for a typical form of transoceanic telephonecommunication. The subscriber at telephone station 100 in the UnitedStates, desiring to make a telephone call to a foreign country, such asJapan, is connected to originating switching office 102 which is SSPequipped as indicated at 104. The switching office 102 is here shown byway of example as connected to tandem office 106 by a trunk 108. Thetandem office has SS7 signaling capability and functions as a serviceswitching point as indicated at 110. For simplicity the tandem office ishere shown as connected by trunk 112 to an interexchange carrier pointof presence (POP) 114. The interexchange carrier switch at the POP isalso SSP equipped as shown at 116. The connections from the telephonestation 100 and the interexchange carrier point of presence are madethrough the use of common channel signaling over the CCIS network whichis here illustrated as including a signal transfer point (STP) connectedby data links to the signal switching points 104, 110, and 116. Thesignal transfer point 118 is also connected by data link to an ISCP 120.

The use of common channel signaling to effect connection to thedestination ends at the point of presence of the interexchange carrier.The interexchange carrier provides connection to the destinationtelephone station 122 via the satellite link indicated at 124 andforeign switching office 126. The foreign switching office 126 is thepoint of connection for the Japanese network satellite link. From theswitching office 126 connection is made to the destination or endswitching office 128 and thence to the Japanese telephone station 122.While the connection between the satellite point of connection switchingoffice 126 and the destination or end switching office 128 has beenshown as direct it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatthere may or may not be one of more intermediate switching offices. Inthe absence of common channel signaling beyond the United Statesinterexchange carrier point of presence 114, in band signaling must beused with its resulting deficiencies.

FIG. 12 illustrates in simplified block diagram form the architecture ofa system capable of overcoming this disadvantage according to onepreferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to that figurethere is shown a telecommunications system capable of effecting thetransoceanic connection of FIG. 11 without incurring the deficienciesinherent in that system and methodology. FIG. 12 illustrates in itsupper portion substantially the same network as shown in FIG. 11 in adifferent layout and the same reference numerals have been used to referto the same elements. However FIG. 12 includes additional features toimplement end to end control signaling through a virtual link that maybe accessed without construction of any new wide area networkfacilities.

According to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 12 theoriginating end switching office SSP 104 at switching office 102 isassociated with an internetwork server module 130. Since the preferredinternetwork is the Internet the server module 130 is sometimes referredto as an Internet module. The server 130 is connected by a data link132, which may be an SS7 link, to the signal transfer point (STP) 118.The actual connection need not be to the specific STP 118 so long as theserver is connected to the SS7 CCIS network of the LEC which serves thecalling station 100. The server 130 is also connected by data link 134to the world wide internetwork shown as a cloud 136. The internetwork136 is preferably the network commonly known as the Internet aspresently described in further detail. The far end of the Internet cloudas shown in FIG. 12 is connected via a data link 138 to a server module140 which is connected to the foreign switching office 126 SSP 142 bydata link 144. It is assumed that the foreign switching office is in atelephone network equipped with a common channel signaling system whichprovides essentially the same capabilities as the SS7 network, as is thecase with the Japanese telephone system. Thus FIG. 12 shows connectionto SSP 142, STP 148, and SSP 146 in the end switching office 128.Alternatively, the common channel signaling capability may be furnishedby F link connection between the switching offices as shown at 150.

The functional architecture of one embodiment of an Internet Module foruse in this system is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 13. The InternetModule, generally indicated at 130 or 140, includes a router 31 of thetype now generally used in Internet practice, such as shown in FIG. 13.For performing some functions which may be utilized in the system ofFIG. 12 the router may be provided with an interface with processingcapability as illustratively shown at 33. Connected to the router are aDomain Name Service (DNS) server 35 and a Dynamic Host ConfigurationProtocol (DHCP) server 37 of the type conventionally used by InternetService Providers in existing Internet Service. The router interface isconnected to the STP and to the CCIS network while the router isconnected to the Internet.

The Internet had its genesis in U.S. Government (called ARPA) fundedresearch which made possible national internetworked communicationsystems. This work resulted in the development of network standards aswell as a set of conventions for interconnecting networks and routinginformation. These protocols are commonly referred to as TCP/IP. Theprotocols generally referred to as TCP/IP were originally developed foruse only through Arpanet and have subsequently become widely used in theindustry. TCP/IP is flexible and robust, in effect, TCP takes care ofthe integrity and IP moves the data. Internet provides two broad typesof services: connectionless packet delivery service and reliable streamtransport service. The Internet basically comprises several largecomputer networks joined together over high-speed data links rangingfrom ISDN to T1, T3, FDDI, SONET, SMDS, OT1, etc. The most prominent ofthese national nets are MILNET (Military Network), NSFNET (NationalScience Foundation NETwork), and CREN (Corporation for Research andEducational Networking). In 1995, the Government Accounting Office (GAO)reported that the Internet linked 59,000 networks, 2.2 million computersand 15 million users in 92 countries. It is presently estimated that thegrowth of the Internet is at a more or less annual doubling rate.

Referring to FIG. 14 there is shown a simplified diagram of theInternet. Generally speaking the Internet consists of Autonomous Systems(AS) which may be owned and operated by universities and researchorganizations and the like. Three such Autonomous Systems are shown inFIG. 14 at 352, 354 and 356. The Autonomous Systems (ASs) are linked byInter-AS Connections 358, 362 and 360. Corporate Local Area Networks(LANs), such as those illustrated in 376 and 378, are connected throughrouters 380 and 382 and links shown as T1 lines 384 and 386. Laptopcomputers 388 and 390 are representative of computers connected to theInternet via the public switched telephone network (PSTN) are shownconnected to the AS/ISPs via dial up links 392 and 396.

In simplified fashion the Internet. may be viewed as a series of routersconnected together with computers connected to the routers. In theaddressing scheme of the Internet an address comprises four numbersseparated by dots. An example would be 164.109.211.237. Each machine onthe Internet has a unique number which constitutes one of these fournumbers. In the address the leftmost number is the highest number. Byanalogy this would correspond to the ZIP code in a mailing address. Attimes the first two numbers constitute this portion of the addressindicating a network or a locale. That network is connected to the lastrouter in the transport path. In differentiating between two computersin the same destination network only the last number field changes. Insuch an example the next number field 211 identifies the destinationrouter. When the packet bearing the destination address leaves thesource router it examines the first two numbers in a matrix table todetermine how many hops are the minimum to get to the destination. Itthen sends the packet to the next router as determined from that tableand the procedure is repeated. Each router has a database table thatfinds the information automatically. This continues until the packetarrives at the destination computer. The separate packets thatconstitute a message may not travel the same path depending on trafficload. However they all reach the same destination and are assembled intheir original order in a connectionless fashion. This is in contrast toconnection oriented modes such as SS7, frame relay and ATM or voice.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 12 anexample of the operation of the system is now described. When thecalling party at telephone station 100 dials the number of the desiredforeign party, such as the telephone station 122 in Japan, theoriginating end office switch 102 and SSP 104 recognizes the call asdirected to another switching office, suspends the call, formulates anSS7 packet message, and sends the message to the nearest STP 118. TheSTP analyzes the point code information in the packet and routes thepacket according to the translation table stored within the STP. Thattranslation table recognizes the foreign prefix as one requiringmodified common channel signal handling and directs the packet to theInternet Module 130 for transmission over an Internet route. TheInternet Module performs the necessary address determination from theinformation in the packet, adds the appropriate addressing andinstructional overhead to encapsulate the packet in one or more TCP/IPpackets, and transmits the packet or packets on to the Internet. TheInternet uses a connectionless protocol and thus if multiple TCP/IPpackets are transmitted they may or may not travel the same route andmay or may not arrive in the same order at the destination server orInternet Module. However the destination Internet Module 140 willperform its TCP/IP function, strip the overhead, reform the original SS7packet and deliver it to the SS7 capable control network of thedestination telephone system. That network operates in its designedmanner to send the message via the foreign SS7 network to the endswitching office that serves the destination telephone line, i.e., tothe terminating end office 128 in the illustrated example. Theterminating end office determines whether or not the called station 122is busy. If the called station is busy, the terminating end office soinforms the originating end office via SS7 signaling in the foreign CCISnetwork, TCP/IP signaling in the Internet, and SS7 signaling in theoriginating switching system. The originating end office provides a busysignal to the calling station. If the called station 122 is not busy,the terminating end office 128 so informs the originating end office. Atelephone connection is then constructed via the trunks, switchingoffices, and satellite link between the calling and called stations.

While the illustrative call did not require a higher level of controlthan that available from the STP, the system is capable of providingservice features which require centralized program control from a higherlevel control point. Such control may be obtained according to theinvention either from the ISCP which controls the CCIS network of theoriginating telephone network or, alternatively, from a central controlsuch as the controller 140 connected to the Internet. Such a controllermay emulate an ISCP and communicate with the Internet through a serveror Internet Module similar to that shown and described in connectionwith FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention whichvirtually eliminates the need for reliance on the CCIS network of theoriginating telephone network. The network shown in FIG. 15 is similarto that shown in FIG. 14 with the difference that the link 132 betweenserver or Internet Module 130 and STP 118 in FIG. 14 has been eliminatedand a data link has been established directly from the SSP 104 for endoffice 102.

In operation the caller dials the number of the called station completewith the foreign prefix. The SSP 104, programmed to recognizepredetermined prefixes as an action trigger, momentarily suspendsprocessing of the call and formulates a message to be sent to theInternet Module or server 130. The query message content and format issimilar to that of the message sent from the STP 118 to the server 130in the embodiment of the invention described in connection with FIG. 12.It will include the called party's number and an indication, such as theautomatic number identification (ANI), of the calling station's number.It will also include an indication of call type (here, that the call isplaced to a predesignated prefix and is to be handled via Internetsignaling). This provides the Internet Module or server with anindication of the treatment the call is to receive. The Internet Modulethereupon processes the message in the manner described in detail inconnection with FIG. 12. If the called party is available a voiceconnection is set up. If the called line is busy a busy signal isprovided to the calling party.

It will be readily seen by one of ordinary skill in the art that thepresent invention fulfills all of the objects set forth above. Afterreading the foregoing specification, one of ordinary skill will be ableto effect various changes, substitutions of equivalents and variousother aspects of the invention as broadly disclosed herein. It istherefore intended that the protection granted hereon be limited only bythe definition contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A telecommunications network, comprising: aplurality of central office switching systems coupled by local links tocustomer terminals; trunks interconnectiion the central office switchingsystems, for carrying communications switched to and from the locallinks via the central office switching systems; an interoffice signalingnetwork comprising a signaling transfer point for carrying call set-uprelated signaling messages in a first protocol between the centraloffice switching systems; and an interface coupled to the signalingtransfer point of the interoffice signaling network and for coupling toan open-access, non-proprietary internetwork connecting spaceddissimilar networks and using transmission control protocol/internetprotocol (TCP/IP) to link the dissimilar networks; wherein the interfaceperforms two-way protocol conversions between the first protocol andTCP/IP to enable communication of call set-up related signaling messagesfor the telecommunications network over the internetwork.
 2. Atelecommunications network as in claim 1, wherein the interface isadapted for communication via a connectionless link through theinternetwork.
 3. A telecommunications network as in claim 1, wherein theinterface is adapted for connection to and communication via theINTERNET.
 4. A telecommunications network as in claim 1, furthercomprising a service control point coupled to the interoffice signalingnetwork for communication via the interface.
 5. A method of setting up acall between a first terminal coupled by a local link to a programcontrolled switching system in a first switched telecommunicationsnetwork and a second terminal coupled by a local link to a programcontrolled switching system in a second switched telecommunicationsnetwork, comprising the steps of: detecting dialing of a number by thefirst terminal; in response to the detection, creating a first signalingpacket identifying the dialed number, the first signaling packet beingin an interoffice signaling protocol of the first switchedtelecommunications network; transmitting the first signaling packet to afirst interface to an internetwork separate from the first and secondswitched telecommunications networks; encapsulating the first signalingpacket in a packet of a second protocol compatible with theinternetwork; transmitting the packet of the second protocol via theinternetwork to a second interface between the internetwork and thesecond switched telecommunications network; transmitting the firstsignaling packet from the second interface to a node of the secondswitched telecommunications network; based on information in the node ofthe second switched telecommunications network deciding to proceed withcall processing; based on the decision, creating a second signalingpacket in an interoffice signaling protocol of the second switchedtelecommunications network; transmitting the second signaling packet tothe second interface to the internetwork; encapsulating the secondsignaling packet in another packet of the second protocol compatiblewith the internetwork; transmitting said another packet of the secondprotocol via the internetwork to the first interface; and responsive tothe receipt of said another packet of the second protocol in the firstswitched telecommunications network, establishing a communication pathbetween the first and second terminals at least in part via the locallinks and the program controlled switching systems in the first andsecond switched telecommunications networks.
 6. A method as in claim 5,wherein the node of the second switched telecommunications networkcomprises a program controlled switching system in the second switchedtelecommunications network.
 7. A method as in claim 5, wherein thesecond protocol comprises transmission control protocol/internetprotocol (TCP/IP).
 8. A method as in claim 7, wherein the internetworkcomprises the INTERNET.
 9. A method of setting up a call between a firstterminal coupled by a local link to a program controlled switchingsystem in a first switched telecommunications network and a secondterminal coupled by a local link to a program controlled switchingsystem in a second switched telecommunications network, comprising thesteps of: detecting dialing of a number by the first terminal, thedialed number corresponding to the second terminal; in response to thedetection, creating a first signaling packet identifying the dialednumber, the first signaling packet being in a first protocol, the firstprotocol being a common channel interoffice signaling protocol;transmitting the first signaling packet to a first interface coupled toan open-access, non-proprietary internetwork connecting spaceddissimilar networks, the internetwork being separate from the first andsecond switched telecommunications networks; encapsulating the firstsignaling packet of the common channel interoffice signaling protocol ina packet of a second protocol compatible with the internetwork;transmitting the packet of the second protocol via the internetwork to asecond interface between the internetwork and the second switchedtelecommunications network; responsive to the receipt of the packet ofthe second protocol via in the second switched telecommunicationsnetwork, determining whether the second terminal is busy; and responsiveto determining that the second terminal is not busy, establishing acommunication path between the first and second terminals at least inpart via the local links and the program controlled switching systems inthe first and second switched telecommunications networks.
 10. A methodaccording to claim 9, wherein the second protocol comprises transmissioncontrol protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP).
 11. A method according toclaim 10, wherein the internetwork is the INTERNET.
 12. A methodaccording to claim 11 wherein the common channel signaling protocolcomprises at least a part of signaling system seven (SS7).
 13. A methodaccording to claim 9, further comprising the step of providing adestination address for the packet of the second protocol based on thedialed number.
 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein thedestination address comprises an internetwork address for the secondinterface.
 15. A method according to claim 14, further comprising thesteps of stripping the destination address from the packet of the secondprotocol following its arrival at the second interface, and deliveringto the second switched telecommunications network at least that portionof the dialed number identifying the second terminal in the secondswitched telecommunications network.
 16. A method according to claim 9,wherein the step of establishing a communication path comprises:responsive to determining that the second terminal is not busy, creatinga second signaling packet in a signaling protocol of the second switchedtelecommunications network; transmitting the second signaling packet tothe second interface to the internetwork; encapsulating the secondsignaling packet packet of the second protocol compatible with theinternetwork; transmitting said another packet via the internetwork tothe first interface; and initiating the step of establishing thecommunication path, in response to the receipt of said another packet inthe first switched telecommunications network.
 17. A method according toclaim 16, wherein the signaling protocol of the second switchedtelecommunications network is the same as the first protocol.
 18. Amethod according to claim 17, wherein the first protocol comprises SS7protocol.
 19. A telecommunications system, comprising: a first switchedtelecommunications network comprising: first switching officesinterconnected by first trunks for providing selective callcommunications over local links to first subscriber terminals, and afirst common channel signaling system logically separate from the firsttrunks and interconnecting the switching offices for carrying signalingregarding call processing in a common channel signaling protocol; asecond switched telecommunications network comprising: second switchingoffices interconnected by second trunks for providing selective callcommunications over local links to second subscriber terminals, and asecond common channel signaling system logically separate from thesecond trunks and interconnecting the second switching offices forcarrying signaling regarding call processing in a common channelsignaling protocol; an open-access, non-proprietary internetworkconnecting spaced dissimilar networks and using transmission controlprotocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) to link the dissimilar networks; afirst interface having routing capabilities, coupled to the first commonchannel signaling system and the internetwork, for communicating commonchannel signaling protocol messages to and from the first common channelsignaling system over the internetwork in TCP/IP; and a second interfacehaving routing capabilities, coupled to the second common channelsignaling system and the internetwork, for communicating common channelsignaling protocol messages to and from the second common channelsignaling system over the internetwork in TCP/IP, wherein the first andsecond interfaces enable exchange of common channel signaling protocolmessages over the internetwork between the first and second commonchannel signaling systems.
 20. A system as in claim 19, wherein theintemetwork comprises the INTERNET.
 21. A system as in claim 19, whereinthe first and second interfaces communicate via a connectionless linkthrough the internetwork.
 22. A system as in claim 19, wherein the firstand second interfaces transmit and receive call set-up signalingprotocol messages over the internetwork as TCP/IP packets.
 23. A systemas in claim 19, wherein the switching offices of the first switchedtelecommunications network include service switching points (SSPs), andthe common channel signaling network in the first switchedtelecommunications network includes a signaling transfer point (STP).24. A system as in claim 23, wherein the first interface connects to theSTP.
 25. A system as in claim 23, wherein the first interface connectsto one of the SSPs.
 26. A system as in to claim 19, wherein the firstand second program switching offices include service switching points(SSPs), and each of the first and second common channel signalingnetworks comprises at least one signaling transfer point (STP).
 27. Asystem as in claim 26, wherein the SSPs comprise central officetelephone switching systems.
 28. A system as in claim 27, wherein thecommon channel signaling protocol comprises at least part of signalingsystem
 7. 29. A telecommunications network, comprising: a plurality ofcentral office switching systems coupled by local links to customerterminals; trunks interconnecting the central office switching systems,for carrying communications switched to and from the local links via thecentral office switching systems; a common channel interoffice signalingnetwork logically separate from the trunks, for transporting signalingregarding call processing in a common channel signaling protocol to andfrom the central office switching systems; and an interface coupled tothe common channel interoffice signaling network and for coupling to anopen-access, non-proprietary internetwork connecting spaced dissimilarnetworks and using an internet protocol to link, wherein the interfaceperforms two-way protocol conversions between the common channelsignaling protocol and the internet protocol to enable communication ofat least some of the signaling regarding call processing over theinternetwork.
 30. A telecommunications network as in claim 29, whereinthe interface is adapted for communication via a connectionless linkthrough the internetwork.
 31. A telecommunications network as in claim29, wherein the interface is adapted for connection to and communicationvia the INTERNET.
 32. A telecommunications network as in claim 29,wherein the internet protocol comprises transmission controlprotocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP).
 33. A telecommunications network asin claim 29, wherein the interoffice signaling network comprises asignaling transfer point (STP), and the interface is coupled to the STP.34. A telecommunications network as in claim 29, wherein one of thecentral office switching systems comprises a service switching point(SSP) coupled to the interoffice signaling network, and the interface iscoupled to the SSP.